Ladies lose again

Rovers Ladies suffered a second successive heavy defeat, losing 6-1 at home to local rivals Preston North End.

In wet and blustery conditions, Rovers fell behind when an air-shot from one of the defenders allowed Mel Ball to take full advantage.

Virtually straight from the restart, Rovers' defence failed to deal with a ball down the centre and Ball ran through to score her second.

The hosts produced a much improved performance in the second half, which wasn't reflected in the scoreline.

Rovers reduced the arrears when Hannah Forster fired home the rebound after good work from Nichol Forster to keep the ball alive in the box.

However, Preston regained their two-goal lead when a woeful back-pass to Gemma Jackson ricocheted off the keeper's legs to Ball, who completed her hat-trick.

Laura Walker added a fourth from the penalty spot, before Becky Grocott smashed an unstoppable 25-yard free-kick into the top corner.

Preston scored a sixth right at the death when a good cross from the right was headed home by Ball.

Manager John Prince said: "I expected a reaction from the team in the first half following the defeat to Sheffield last weekend, but we didn't get it. Too many players failed to do their jobs both individually and collectively, which is not acceptable.

"It is clear that significant changes need to be made to address the character, work rate and resilience within the team. I hope to be given the backing from the club to make the changes that are necessary."

19 May 2015Rovers Ladies to...Blackburn Rovers Ladies will reintroduce a development squad for the 2015-16 season to support the growth of the first team, who finished third in the FA Women’s Premier League last season.

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